UPSC Prelims 2006 Q54: Environment & Ecology – Climate Change & Greenhouse Gases
Which one of the following countries is the first country in the world to propose a carbon tax
for its people to address global warming?
- (a) Australia
- (b) Germany
- (c) Japan
- (d) New Zealand
Answer: (d) New Zealand
Explanation
First country to propose a carbon tax on its people
| Country | Link with a proposed carbon tax (global warming) |
|---|---|
| Australia | Did not lead on a national carbon tax proposal in this period |
| Germany | Used an eco-tax on energy, not a carbon tax proposal of this kind |
| Japan | Considered environment taxes later, not first |
| New Zealand | Announced a plan for a carbon tax on emissions to meet its Kyoto commitments (2005) |
The accepted answer is New Zealand, whose government proposed a national carbon tax on its people to curb global warming.
Answer: (d) New Zealand.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. Australia is not the country credited with this proposal in the key.
- (b) Incorrect. Germany relied on an eco-tax on energy use rather than this carbon tax proposal.
- (c) Incorrect. Japan is not the country credited with proposing a carbon tax first.
- (d) CORRECT. New Zealand proposed a national carbon tax to address global warming, as accepted in the key.
Key point
New Zealand is the country credited in the key with proposing a carbon tax on its people to address global warming.
Remember
New Zealand proposed the carbon tax to tackle global warming.
Common mistakes
- Choosing a large industrial economy like Germany or Japan by default.
- Confusing a proposal with a tax already collected in Scandinavian countries.
- Mixing a carbon tax with emissions trading schemes.
Exam tip
Carbon tax proposal for its people: New Zealand, linked to its Kyoto Protocol commitments.
Sources
- New Zealand Government — Climate Change Programme: the proposed carbon charge (announced October 2005)
- Encyclopaedia Britannica — carbon tax